Beginning Genealogy

Your guide to beginning genealogy research
Do you have a desire to climb your family tree but struggle to get started in genealogy?
Me too!
Well, whenever I take a break.
Following 2o years of studying genealogy, researching my family tree, and trying to make new relative discoveries, I discovered the following tips and tricks that help anyone get started in genealogy quickly and correctly, with little complaining.
Well, I still complain a little. However, good background music and chocolate always stop my whiney voice cold!

Family historians love books, especially ones that help them understand DNA and capture and preserve memories. Discover six book titles that will better the lives of your genealogy loving friends (or yourself). #1 Reimagine Family History Forget what you’ve learned about genealogy and learn the greater vision of family history. By so doing, you’ll discover a specific part of the family-focused hobby that makes your heart sing. Not everyone is a tree climber or dusty book reader. Reimagine family history and preserve your legacy. #2 DNA Q&A: Real Questions From Real People About Genetic Genealogy DNA doesn’t lie, but it doesn’t tell the whole truth. However, the truth genetic genealogy…

Googling your genealogy can help you find a bevy of discoveries with a few simple clicks and keystrokes. Take full advantage of these tips from a genealogy gem of an expert. I had the honor of interviewing Lisa Louise Cooke, host of the Genealogy Gems podcast about her book: The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox -- 2nd Edition Updated for 2019. Originally this book was published in 2011 with an updated second edition released in 2015. Lisa shares her process for developing the book and why each edition has something new and special for genealogists. During the interview, she revealed her favorite innovation from Google. Since I know it will drive you…

You can enjoy a virtual genealogy conference nearly as much as attending a live event if you know how to participate to the fullest. In fact, the culture of a webinar involves more interactivity and may become a favorite learning environment between events. Plan to Interact During a Virtual Genealogy Conference If you are attending a virtual genealogy conference or a webinar, then plan to interact. Not all webinars and online family history events allow for an open chat, so you may not have a fully-immersive interactive experience. However, you do not have to wait until the end of a session to participate. In traditional live learning environments, asking your…

As budding genealogists attempt to use FamilySearch Family Tree, they quickly face the learning curve that’s not as easy as some other online offerings. Learning to add reason statements when making a change, attaching a source, merging people, or deleting a relationship can be overwhelming. But anything worth doing, it’s worth doing well. With FamilySearch Family Tree, three reasons to use the program out-weight the learning curve associated with mastering the mechanics of the program. 1. Public Trees and Public Sources With FamilySearch, there are no private trees. Okay, the private trees are the living individuals you add to the tree. But when we’re talking about the history of deceased…

FamilySearch is a great online research service where you can build your family tree and attach records and memories to the leaves on your branches. However, there is one kind of recordset that you need to be aware of. Index to Kentucky Death Record on FamilySearch.org An index is a great starting point but it doesn’t tell you everything on a record. And, sometimes the information is slightly to completely wrong in the index. So, it pays to see if you can find the original record in another resource. I am a computer-based genealogist. I will not go to a genealogical library if a record can be found online. I…

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Meet Devon Noel, Caleb, and Andy Lee. We help beginning and intermediate level genealogists understand DNA, climb their family trees, and write their ancestors' stories along the way. If family history isn't fun, you're doing it wrong.